It would appear that I was over optimistic in suggesting that smashing my iBook on the floor had not impaired vital functions. The hard drive has started making a sound like maracas.
It would be tempting to blame the upgrade to 10.4.8, or Apple’s crummy SyncServices, for bringing the machine to a rattling, clacking halt. It did work fine for 24 hours after the incident, after all. But what with the noises and the fact it won’t boot FC5 either, I think that so soon after a massive impact I can’t really ignore the possibility that this was maybe the cause of physical HD damage.
One things is clear: whilst I try to hold out for the new MacBooks, this morning life without OSX begins…